Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba have been handed one-match suspensions for not attending Major League Soccer's All-Star Game earlier this week.
Both players were absent from Wednesday's match in Austin, Texas, where the MLS team secured a 3-1 victory over Mexico's Liga MX All-Stars.
According to MLS regulations, any player who fails to participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to play in their club's next match, MLS stated in a Friday announcement.
Consequently, Messi and Alba will miss Miami's home league game against FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber described the decision to suspend Messi as "very difficult."
"I know Lionel Messi loves this league," he commented. "I don't think there's a player—or anyone—who has contributed more to MLS than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his dedication to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision.
Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it."
Argentinian legend Messi, 38, has scored 18 goals in as many appearances for Javier Mascherano's team in the MLS this season, while Alba, 36, has played 19 matches in the league.
The duo, who previously played together at Barcelona from 2012 to 2021, were also instrumental in Miami's journey to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Following their exit from the tournament against eventual finalists Paris Saint-Germain, Miami has played five matches this month, with Messi scoring eight goals.
Speaking to ESPN earlier, Miami head coach Mascherano noted that the forward "showed normal fatigue from the number of games and minutes he's been playing."
"Look, players always experience discomfort, especially when they play every three days," he added.